Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures

Job Description:

Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures

Description

The Position

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions, should they occur.

Under general administrative direction, assists in planning, organization, supervision, coordination and evaluation of assigned agricultural and weights and measures programs, projects, and operations. Conducts investigations and inspections to enforce federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances related to the Agriculture Department. Provides departmental support to the Agriculture Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures in departmental operations, budgeting, reporting, regulatory compliance, and special projects.

Manager Academy is mandatory for all managers and consists of nine courses that must be completed within two years. Participation is required and completed during work hours.

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Plan, assign, direct, coordinate, review, and evaluate the work of assigned staff; establish priorities and goals; provide ongoing staff training; participate in employee selection, promotion, and disciplinary actions.
• Assist with administrative operations, program coordination, regulatory compliance activities, and implementation of departmental initiatives.
• Participate in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, operational plans, and work practices; monitor work activities to ensure effectiveness and compliance with legal requirements; develop work processes, job standards, and safety measures.
• Assist in monitoring departmental budgets, tracking expenditures, preparing supporting documentation, and coordinating administrative reports.
• Coordinate with state agencies, county departments, agriculture organizations, and regulatory entities regarding assigned programs and departmental activities.
• Assist in the preparation of resolutions for Board of Supervisors' consideration; serves as departmental representative in connection with statutory requirements for notice, publications, and other official action of the department.
• Answer questions and provide information and assistance to the public, private industry, government agencies, and community groups; make oral and written presentations to various groups and organizations.
• Respond to public inquiries and complaints; investigate complaints and confer with department management concerning the resolution of citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Gather and compile data, prepare departmental reports, including the annual crop and livestock report; and interpret and explain laws, rules and regulations to staff, other agencies, and the public
• Operate county vehicle to conduct agricultural and weights and measures field inspections; monitor pesticide applications for compliance with applicable laws and regulations; investigate pesticide illnesses, collect samples for residue testing, and initiate enforcement actions when necessary.
• Participate in the development and administration of budgets for assigned programs and preparing program invoices; participate in forecasting funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; ensure that program expenditures and cost estimates are adequately documented and monitored; review and approve program expenditures and implement adjustments.
• Prepare, review, analyze, supervise and finalize technical reports, inspection reports, memoranda of understanding (MOU), contracts, certifications, public records requests, statistical reports, evidence documentation, special studies and related materials.
• May represent the County at local and state meeting conferences; confer with state and federal personnel and staff from other County Departments of Agriculture to discuss and keep informed on pertinent issues, as well as to coordinate activities.
• Evaluate and issue Restricted Pesticide Permits, Grower Identification Number (Operator ID) and Site Numbers; ensure pesticide use enforcement; train growers and licensees in pesticide use laws and regulations; assist with field inspections and apply applicable laws and regulations; take appropriate enforcement measures as needed.
• Perform inspections of incoming out-of-state plant shipments at terminals and ensures weighing and measuring devices meet accuracy standards, proper usage requirements, and state registration compliance.
• May perform special assignments and represent the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures in their absence, as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in Agriculture Science, Biology, Chemical Science, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering or related field.

AND

Three (3) years of increasingly responsible agricultural or weights and measures inspection and enforcement work including at least one (1) year in a supervisory capacity.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid Driver’s License

Deputy County Agricultural Commissioner OR Deputy County Sealer of Weights and Measures License

Pesticide Regulation License
Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation License
Weight Verification License
Investigation and Environmental Monitoring License
Integrated Pest Management License
Commodity Regulation License
Measurement Verification License
Transaction and Product Verification License

Possession of an Authorized Certification Official (ACO) certificate or must obtain within 6 months of appointment.

Within two (2) years, possession of both Deputy County Agricultural Commissioner AND Deputy County Sealer of Weights and Measures License must be obtained. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licensure within the timeframes specified above shall be considered failure to meet a condition of employment and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• All applicable federal, state, county, and local ordinances, codes, laws, rules and regulations, including the California Food and Agricultural Code, California Business and Professions Code, California Code of Regulations, and California Department of Pesticide Regulation requirements.
• Budgetary principles and practices.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting and implementation.
• Administration of staff and activities, either directly or through subordinate supervision.
• Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, and report presentation.
• Identification of crops, vertebrate pests, basic insects, plants, and trees; treating and controlling plant pests and diseases.
• Construction, mechanics, and operation of scales, gasoline meters, and other weighing and measuring devices.
• Methods and techniques relevant to weights and measures investigation and enforcement.
• All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
• Legislative processes and criminal, civil and administrative penalties.

Skill in:

• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Maintaining accurate records of work performed and findings.
• Planning, organizing, assigning, directing, reviewing and evaluating the work of staff; training staff in program policies, regulations, and work procedures.
• Selecting and motivating staff and providing for their training and professional development.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Presenting technical information clearly, concisely and in an interesting manner to technical committees, public officials, and the general public.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Effectively deal with the individuals, general public and the media in stressful situations.
• Speak effectively before public groups and respond to questions.
• Read, analyze, and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations.
• Work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
• Interpret a variety of technical instructions with abstract and/or concrete variables.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Enforce the laws in a fair and impartial manner.
• Identify many different plants, animals, insects, and diseases.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Resolve issues or concerns involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move, or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Selection Procedure & Other Important Information

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an application appraisal exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I-9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

Learn more:

• E-Verify Notice of Participation (Download PDF reader)
• Right to Work (Download PDF reader)

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.

SALARY
Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT
Covered under Social Security and the 1937 act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. For the most current information regarding County Retirement please go to:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE
Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 - 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION
Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE
Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE
The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE
For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS
For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$84,344.00 - $102,544.00 Annually